Crossflow filtration cassette holder

Abstract

A robust crossflow filtration cassette holder, allowing easy mounting and removal of filtration cassettes. The cassette holder comprises a distributor plate, an end-plate, a plurality of essentially parallel tie rods connecting the distributor plate with the end-plate, and a compression plate slidably mounted on the tie rods between the distributor plate and the end plate, wherein at least one of the tie rods is movable in its entirety between an open position or orientation, allowing mounting or removal of a filtration cassette, and a closed position or orientation, in which the movable tie rod is in engaged connection with the cassette and locks it in the holder by a locking means.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A crossflow filtration cassette holder for holding a filtration cassette, comprising a distributor plate, an end-plate, a plurality of essentially parallel tie rods connecting said distributor plate with said end-plate, and a compression plate slidably mounted on said tie rods between said distributor plate and said end plate, wherein at least one of said tie rods is movable in its entirety between an open position or orientation allowing mounting or removal of the filtration cassette, and a closed position or orientation in which the at least one movable tie rod is in engaged connection with the cassette and locks it in the holder through a locking means on the cassette, wherein the locking means comprises at least one indentation on the cassette adapted to engage the at least one movable tie rod. 
     
     
       2. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said movable tie rod is rotatable around its length axis, has a circular cross section in regions contacting the distributor plate and the end plate and has a truncated circle cross section in at least part of a region between the distributor plate and the end plate. 
     
     
       3. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said movable tie rod is formed as a single piece. 
     
     
       4. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said movable tie rod comprises a ferrous metal, such as stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said movable tie rod has a diameter less than about 20 mm, such as about 10-15 mm. 
     
     
       6. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said tie rods are movable in their entirety between an open position or orientation and a closed position or orientation. 
     
     
       7. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said distributor plate comprises retentate and permeate inlet and outlet connectors fluidically connected with retentate and permeate apertures corresponding to apertures on the filtration cassette. 
     
     
       8. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , further comprising compression means comprising a hydraulic cylinder or a screw, arranged to act on the compression plate. 
     
     
       9. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , wherein said movable tie rod is laterally movable. 
     
     
       10. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 9 , wherein the ends of said movable tie rod are slidably connected to the end-plate and the distributor plate, such as through elongated openings in the plates. 
     
     
       11. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 9 , further comprising pins mounted in the distributor plate and the end plate, wherein said pins are arranged to move said laterally movable tie rod between the open and the closed position. 
     
     
       12. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 11 , wherein said pins comprise indentations engaging with said laterally movable tie rod. 
     
     
       13. A crossflow filtration module comprising the crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1  and at least one filtration cassette mounted in said holder. 
     
     
       14. A method of mounting a filtration cassette in the crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 1 , the method comprising placing the cassette in the holder and moving the at least one movable tie rod in its entirety from the open position or orientation to the closed position or orientation to have a locking engagement with the cassette. 
     
     
       15. A crossflow filtration cassette holder for holding a cassette, comprising a distributor plate, an end-plate, a plurality of essentially parallel tie rods connecting said distributor plate with said end-plate, pins mounted in the distributor plate and the end plate, and a compression plate slidably mounted on said tie rods between said distributor plate and said end plate, wherein at least one of said tie rods is laterally movable in its entirety between an open position or orientation allowing mounting or removal of the cassette, and a closed position or orientation in which the at least one movable tie rod is in engaged connection with the cassette and locks it in the holder through a locking means on the cassette, and wherein said pins are arranged to move said laterally movable tie rod between the open and the closed position. 
     
     
       16. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 15 , wherein said pins comprise indentations engaging with said laterally movable tie rod. 
     
     
       17. The crossflow filtration cassette holder of  claim 15 , wherein said movable tie rod is rotatable around its length axis, has a circular cross section in the regions contacting the distributor plate and the end plate and has a truncated circle cross section in at least part of a region between the distributor plate and the end plate.